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Latest update: 13 January 2026
Tongyeong is a port city where you immediately smell that you’ve arrived. The scent of fish hangs in the air, the market is full of fresh fish and shellfish in way-too-small tanks, and you absolutely have to eat oysters here. It might not be the most famous destination in South Korea, but that’s exactly why I love it. No crowds of tourists, but still plenty to see and do.
Why visit Tongyeong?
Tongyeong is located on the south coast of South Korea, about an hour and a half drive from Busan. The city is also known as the ‘Naples of Korea’ because of its harbor. And just as Naples does, Tongyeong has a rich maritime history. Admiral Yi Sun-sin had his headquarters here during the war with Japan in the 16th century.
When I’m mapping out my travel route through South Korea, I don’t come across Tongyeong on many itineraries. Add the Tongyeong islands to that, and I’m sold. I want to go there. I immediately booked three nights and never regretted it for a moment.
The city center is compact and easy to navigate. The old center is located at the harbor, and you can do most things on foot. Perfect for a few days of relaxed wandering, with, of course, a trip to an island. Because Tongyeong is the gateway to various islands in Hallyeohaesang National Park (try pronouncing that). That’s a maritime area with hundreds of small islands, and part of it is easily accessible from here. But anyway, what else is there to experience in Tongyeong?
Dongpirang Village: creative neighborhood with murals
Take your time for a walk through Dongpirang Village. In 2007, the neighborhood was on the list to be demolished. But a group of artists decided to save it by painting all the walls, stairs, and even water tanks. It worked. The neighborhood survived and is now a popular attraction in Tongyeong.
The streets are narrow and wind upward. At the top, you’ll find the Dongporu pavilion with views over the harbor. There are also a few nice cafés among the artworks. It’s a small area, so you can see it in about an hour. Unless you want to stop at every wall for photos like me.
Tongyeong Jungang Market for fish (and more)
The market in Tongyeong is located directly at the harbor, and you’ll mainly find a lot of fish: fresh fish, dried fish, salted fish… Fish and seafood in all shapes and sizes. I don’t even recognize at least half of it.
Most stalls are run by old ladies who are chatting among themselves. Besides fish, lots of vegetables, street food, and household items are sold here. Especially at the stalls around the market, you see lots of honey cakes and cookies.
The Tongyeong Cable Car to Mireuksan
The cable car in Tongyeong is quite a ride at 1.2 miles (1,975 meters) long. It takes you to the top of Mireuksan Mountain for beautiful views over the city, the harbor, and the islands.
In 2025, a round-trip costs 34,000 won for two people (about 17,000 won per person, or approximately $12). From the upper station, you can walk another 15 minutes to the top. If you buy a one-way cable car ticket, you can hike the route down. That takes about two hours, I’m told – I haven’t tried it.
At the cable car, there’s also the Skyline Luge park. That’s a kind of cart with which you race down a course of 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers). You control your own speed with a simple handle.
Discovering the harbor area
Gangguan Harbor is really where it all happens in Tongyeong. It’s a small harbor with a beautifully landscaped promenade for walking. Around it are various cafés, restaurants, and accommodations. This is also where you want to stay when you visit Tongyeong. It’s also easily accessible by bus and you’re near the other harbor where ferries to various islands depart (but not Saryangdo).
A bridge connects one side of the harbor with the other, so you can walk all the way around. In the evening, the promenade is beautifully lit, and there’s a kind of light and water show at the bridge. I can’t say with certainty that that’s always the case, but I almost think so, since Tongyeong was recognized in 2022 as South Korea’s first specialized night tourism city. So if you go out in the evening, you can see beautifully illuminated attractions in various places.
The light festival at Tongyeong Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong
When we’re there in mid-October, there’s a large light festival at Tongyeong Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong. That’s a historical site where the naval headquarters used to be.
The festival is free to enter, and there are various light installations. We don’t quite understand the story behind the installations (everything is in Korean), but it’s beautiful to see. There are many volunteers around helping with the organization who try to guide us along the route as best they can in English.
The turtle ships in the harbor
In Gangguan harbor are replicas of Korean warships: geobukseon or turtle ships. These turtle-shaped ships were used during the war with Japan. The design is really completely different from Western boats. For example, the deck is full of spikes, so enemies can’t climb aboard. You can visit all three ships for 2,000 won per person (about $1.40).
By the way, also take a good look at the lampposts along the harbor: the tops are shaped like the turtle ships.
Hansan Battle Plaza
If you walk from the harbor to the ferry terminal, you pass Hansan Battle Plaza. This is a square with a large monument commemorating the Battle of Hansan between South Korea and Japan. The Koreans, under the leadership of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, managed to win the battle. The square otherwise feels quite empty and deserted.
Island hopping from Tongyeong
From the Tongyeong Ferry terminal, ferries regularly depart to various islands in the Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park. The nearest and most easily accessible islands are Hansando, Bijindo, and Somaemuldo.
Always check ferry times in advance, because they don’t run super regularly. And arrive well in advance, because some boats just leave early.
Want to know more about island hopping from Tongyeong? [Link to islands blog]
Nammansang Sculpture Park
Nammangsan Sculpture Park is located on a mountain near the harbor and consists of a walk of about 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers). We go during the day, but from what I read, it should be wonderful in the evening with all the light installations. The park is closed on Mondays.
Food and drinks in Tongyeong
Tongyeong is a port city, so fish and seafood are central here. Oysters are the specialty, and you get them in all possible preparations. But there’s more: from Japanese restaurants to cozy coffee shops and from local cookies to dried fish with beer. I’m happy to share my favorite spots.
The honey bread of Tongyeong
Kkulppang, or honey bread, is a Tongyeong specialty that you can buy in many places. It’s a sweet bread soaked in honey and filled with, for example, sweet potato, yuzu, peas, red beans, or chestnut. The bread is quite chewy and very sticky.
We go to Mungge House, a shop recognizable by its striking red building in the shape of a pufferfish, where it always seems busy. You can choose from five flavors or buy a package of all five.
Fancy sand cookies
Another typical cookie I buy at Tongyeong Smile Sand. I can best describe this cookie as shortbread with a filling, and in terms of taste, it most resembles those cookies with a milk layer that I used to take to school. OK cookie, but quite pricey for what you get. Oh well, poorer in money, richer in experience!
Eating oysters (in all shapes and sizes)
Tongyeong is famous for its oysters. The season officially runs from November to February, but you can actually try oysters year-round. We go to Han Maeumsikdang, a simple restaurant where you can eat oysters in various preparations.
My travel partner and I order one menu to share, which the owner doesn’t really seem to agree with. But it turns out to be more than enough. In fact, it’s almost too much. We get oysters raw, steamed, boiled, mixed through rice, in hot sauce, in a pancake, and fried.
Coffeenist
At Coffeenist, you drink… coffee! Surprise surprise. Coffeenist is a small coffee shop where the owner roasts the beans herself and where the house cat rubs against your legs. It’s very homey, and the selection of sweets changes every day.
Café Ropiano
I’m in the mood for bingsu (Korean shaved ice), and Café Ropiano delivers. It’s located at the harbor, and so you also have a beautiful view of the water. The owner runs the bar himself and prepares the bingsu with great care.
Madang
Madang is a small café in a kind of greenhouse/garden full of art and kitsch, or vintage – I’ll let you decide. There are even Dutch coffee grinders among all the stuff on display. It’s a nice place for a matcha latte or something else, and the owner is a friendly man who gives you all the time to enjoy your drink.
Tabelu
At Japanese restaurant Tabelu, a menu costs 30,000 won (about $21), and we hesitate a bit, because we’re not that hungry. But we also don’t feel like looking further, and so we decide to go for it. Good choice. Because it’s delicious. You get sushi, sashimi, miso soup, and also things like fish liver and foods I don’t recognize.
More Beer
You know that feeling? When, after a few days in a row of eating out on vacation, you feel like something quick and simple? That’s why we go to More Beer for a beer with some snacks. We order a kind of schnitzel with mayo, egg, and onions. And fried dried small fish. That wasn’t quite what we expected to get, but with a sauce, they’re surprisingly tasty.
Where to stay in Tongyeong?
We stay at Present Hostel, which is located just behind the harbor in the old part of the city. The room is clean and has a balcony with a view of the harbor. The room is nice and spacious, and we get clean towels daily. There’s a shared kitchen where you can cook or make a cup of tea and besides your own terrace, there’s also a larger shared terrace.
Book at Trip (usually cheaper), Agoda, or Booking.
How to get to Tongyeong?
There are no trains to Tongyeong, so you have to rely on buses or cars. From Busan, it’s about an hour and a half drive. There are also intercity buses from various cities in South Korea.
We arrive by bus from Gyeongju (about 2.5 hours), and the route is really beautiful along the coast. We booked this bus ride in advance on this site. From the central bus station in Tongyeong, you then take a local bus to the old part by the harbor.
More South Korea inspiration
Useful links for your South Korea trip
- Accommodation. Always handy is Booking.com, but compare prices. Trip is often much cheaper in South Korea. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You can book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. You can book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour and cool food tours at Secret Food Tours.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check Expedia, Kiwi and Trip.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Check out your options at Expedia and CheapOair for example.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo. Use the code THISIS8469 for a discount.
- Train and bus. Buy your train tickets directly on the Korail site and intercity buses also directly via this site. Some trips can also be booked on
Klook or via12Go . For local transport in the city, you use a T-Money card.
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